This includes plate replication, serial dilution and inter-plate sample transfers. As well as simple tasks, automated technology can also be used to complete complex processes. Next-generation high throughput liquid handling equipment allows scientists to test and analyse a huge number of samples in a short period of time.Īutomated liquid handling technologies have played a big role in boosting throughput and drastically increasing laboratory efficiency. The advent of high throughput liquid handlingįrom food and beverage sampling to genomics and drug discovery, many laboratories rely on high throughput liquid handling to generate results. They’re a great way to speed up high-volume tasks and can aspirate and dispense multiple samples simultaneously. Used for repetitive tasks, multichannel pipettes usually offer between 8 to 12 tips. Most are powered by electronic motors, which offer smoother air displacement and minimise the risk of air bubble formation and chamber contamination. Vacuum force then sucks liquid into the tip.Įlectronic pipettes set a new benchmark for speed and efficiency, allowing laboratory personal to aspirate, transport and dispense liquids at the touch of a button. The internal piston is forced down the chamber, where it comes into direct contact with the liquid. These user-friendly pipettes use piston-driven displacement technology to extract and dispense liquid. Technicians can adjust air cushion volume settings to achieve granular accuracy. The technique relies on micropipettes featuring air cushions in the tip to create a vacuum and pull liquid into the chamber. Below, we spotlight some of the most widely used methods in more detail.Īir displacement is one of the most common techniques used to aspirate and dispense liquid in laboratories. Scientists rely on a variety of different pipetting techniques to measure and transport liquids in the laboratory. What are the different pipetting techniques? Advances in technology have also made pipettes more affordable and readily available to not just state-of-the-art institutions, but also school, university and privately owned labs. This has slashed pipetting steps by an impressive 98% and set new standards for laboratory efficiency. Today, scientists utilise advanced pipettes equipped with electronic sensors, multiple heads, Bluetooth connectivity, integrated data analysis software and other features. This breakthrough led to the development of the adjustable micropipette in the 1970s. The 1960s saw German life sciences company Eppendorf secure a patent for the product and begin commercial production, a move that made micropipettes a mainstay in laboratories of all sizes. The instrument revolutionised the liquid handling process with a spring-loaded piston and removable plastic tip. ![]() In the 1950s, German physician Heinrich Schnitger introduced laboratories to the micropipette. Manufacturers were quick to switch to plastic, a cheaper and more durable option, within a matter of decades. ![]() The instruments not only allowed scientists to improve the accuracy of measurements but minimise sample contamination and reduce personal exposure to harmful substances. French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur invented the tool, which was originally made from glass. ![]() Handheld pipettes, small instruments used to measure and transport liquids, have been used in laboratories since the 1940s. Want to know more? Read on for our complete guide to liquid handling in scientific laboratories, covering topics like advances in pipetting, high throughput liquid handling, robotic technologies and more. Most laboratories have strict procedures and protocols in place to protect personnel and the integrity of samples and results. While the process seems relatively simple, liquid handling can be complex. Scientists rely on both manual and automated equipment to safely handle liquids and transfer them from one location to another. From detecting pathogens in human blood and screening produce for food-borne viruses to analysing petroleum samples and highly flammable chemicals, liquid handling processes are used across a wide range of laboratories.
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